Podcasting Going Mainstream

Playlist: Mainstream media embraces podcasting Interesting criticism of "mainstream media" on most Internet-related advances. According to this piece, the "mainstream media" might be jumping on podcasting earlier than most people. Not necessarily convincing as, despite relatively low numbers, podcasts have been part of the mindshare for a bit and have developed independently of "Big Media" ideas. Also, if "Big Media" were to push podcasting too much, it might lose much of its appeal and could become just one another way we're force-fed "information." To note, this very strong tendency to think about numbers: audience numbers and revenue potential. The enthusiasts who started podcasting might think about the same issues, but not as the very first things on their minds. Quite characteristic of "Big Media" that they think less about quality or social impact than about applying the same models to a "different medium." The point on bandwidth might merit some reflection. Is it costing podcasters that much? If so, aren't P2P models the most obvious solution? And how much are we talking about exactly? Aren't there other ways to cover those costs? While this piece implies that "Big Media" are "getting" podcasting, I'm not sure they're thinking about the same thing podcast users want. At least, they're not as reluctant as with TiVo, P2P networks, or non-DRM downloads...